As far as observances go, April is noteworthy. In addition to the most important day in Christendom, this month has the date of April 22 set aside as Earth Day.

As vital as holidays are, I have always thought that the run up to any day of celebration as far more critical. For example, you could light fireworks on the 4th of July, but such gestures are meaningless unless you are loyal to America throughout the year. In the same vein, paying homage to the environment on Earth Day is pointless if your lifestyle is one of dissipation. In the interest of adhering to the spirit of this past Earth Day, this article will advance ways to help our ecology while shopping.

Even though it may sound odd, I believe that no other activity has more relevance to the environment. I think this due to the fact that all environmental impacts are traceable to consumption and most of what we use comes from shopping. If you are interested in saving money and the planet, here are some thoughts:

Waste

It is estimated that the typical home disposes of $500 per year in edibles. On the financial front, this translates into a loss of 14 percent of the average grocery budget and a cost of over $40 per month.

From an environmental standpoint, what you throw away completely squanders the food itself and the resources used for growing, packaging and transportation. For the sake of the earth and your savings, eliminating food waste is one of the first steps you should take. For more information, go to lubbockonline.com/life/2011-03-30/savvy-shopper-save-money-following-tips-food.

Buy local

Even though we hear a lot about buying local, the reasons for doing so are often glossed over. In addition to the commendable desire to support the home team, the major environmental benefit to buying local is minimizing the transportation involved in distribution. When you realize how much of our energy supply is channeled to simply moving things around, buying local makes sense. One way to do this is through community supported agriculture (CSA). With CSA, you pay to receive a percentage of a local farm’s harvest. Another way to support the community is through farmer’s markets. For more information about buying local, the following website is a good guide: www.healthylubbock.org/Nutrition_Initiatives/Lubbock_Area_Farmers_Markets/Entries/2010/2/25_Lubbock_Area_Farmers_Market_Guide.html. Often, the produce is comparably priced to the supermarket and is definitely cheaper for society.

Reducing Trips

There are few better ways to reduce the time involved and environmental impact of shopping than reducing your number of trips. Factoring the conserved resources, avoided pollution, and the wear and tear on your vehicle, the ecological benefits are extensive. On top of that, you will also save time and money. The foundation to reducing trips is to stop going to the store based on immediate need. To do this, a shopper must set a consistent schedule and take measures so they don’t need to go any other time. This ultimately means you must have an adequate and complete stockpile of food. Some barriers to achieving this include failing to put an item on the shopping list and overlooking the item on the list while at the store. One highly effective way to address these problems is to use a shopping list based on index cards. This enables you to create a complete list so you can get every intended item without oversight or error. For details about this system, go to http://lubbockonline.com/life-savvy-shopper/2011-06-07/savvy-shopper-detailed-guidance-index-card-system-shopping.

Green Bags

To minimize the need for plastic bags, take green bags to the store instead of having the grocery store provide them. United, Market Street, Spouts, and Target give a discount of $.05 per bag. At CVS, scanning a green bag tag at each trip will earn $1.00 in store credit after 4 trips — an average of $.25 per trip.

Packaging

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American generates 1600 pounds of garbage a year. With all the trash produced in America alone, you could form a line of filled up garbage trucks and reach the moon. Considering that a majority of the volume consists of discarded packaging, it stands to reason that minimizing the need for packaging would go a long way toward reducing the volume and cost for our landfills. A great start is to buy your food in bulk. United and Sprouts both have an extensive selection of bulk foods. Often, you can save a fair amount of money buying this way as well.

Recycling

When you can’t avoid packaging, try to recycle as much as possible. United Supermarkets has recycling drop off centers at their 50th & Indiana, 82nd & Frankford, and Parkway Drive & Zenith locations. If you regularly shop at a United with a drop off center, incorporate the recycling drop off into your shopping trips. Since it can be difficult to remember to bring along your recyclables, I use the index card system to remind me. One of my index cards has “Recyclables” written on it and I include that with my other cards. Since using it, I have not forgotten them. For more information about recycling, go to lubbockonline.com/life-savvy-shopper/2011-08-02/savvy-shopper-sean-fields-explains-how-incorporate-recycling-shopping.

If you noticed, none of the above recommendations will cost more money. If anything, they will make or save some. Done right, you will also emerge with more time on your hands. It’s hard to beat doing well while doing good. If you have thoughts or ideas about saving green while going green, please visit our Facebook site (Log on to Facebook and enter “Lubbock Savvy Shopper” in the search tool) or write us at SavvyShoppers@lubbockonline.com and let us hear about it. Our community keeps growing and we are receiving great things. Don’t miss out.

SEAN FIELDS is one of The A-J’s Savvy Shoppers. Read his columns Wednesdays, and catch Rachel Hardy on Sunday.